The Edmonton Oilers are poised to kick off the 2026‑27 campaign with a surge of youthful talent, led by Isaac Howard, the 2022 first‑round pick who exploded in the AHL with 24 goals and 50 points.
Alan Mitchell of The Athletic has urged the club to give Howard a prominent role right away, recommending that he be slotted on a line alongside star center Leon Draisaitl to leverage their complementary skill sets.
Howard and Draisaitl: A Promising Combination
Draisaitl, the 2019‑20 Hart Trophy winner, is widely recognized as one of the NHL’s top playmakers, and his ability to create scoring chances could accelerate Howard’s transition to the professional game.
Coach Mike Babcock, however, has yet to lock down Howard’s exact spot on the depth chart, leaving his deployment open to interpretation as the team finalizes its opening‑night lineup.
Capitals Bolster Goaltending with Reideborn
The Vienna Capitals have added veteran goaltender Adam Reideborn on a trial basis, hoping his .919 save percentage from the 2025‑26 Swiss league season will stabilize their net.
Reideborn, 34, earned the SHL Goalie of the Year honor and captured two Gagarin Cup titles in the KHL, bringing a wealth of elite‑level experience to the Austrian club.
Sixteen‑year‑old forward Benjamin Veitch, the fifth‑overall selection in the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft, has committed to NCAA hockey at Boston College after posting 11 goals and 21 points in his rookie season.
Scouts such as Lassi Alanen of Elite Prospects have already labeled Veitch a potential first‑round pick for the 2028 NHL draft, underscoring his rapid development and high ceiling.
The Capitals’ preseason continued with a 3‑0 win over Slovakia’s HK Dukla Trencin on Tuesday, and they are scheduled to take on Hydro Fehérvár AV19 on Friday as they fine‑tune their roster before the regular season begins.